The Zen Path to Enlightenment is a unique special edition, handmade and printed in a limited quantity of 200 copies. It includes the four main texts of Zen Buddhism, accompanied by commentaries from Taigen Shodo Roshi, a venerable Japanese Zen master and calligrapher.
In this project, several significant and beloved aspects of my life—Zen, design, bookbinding, and dyeing—converged. It was a great honour, and I am deeply grateful for the guidance and collaboration of Taigen Shodo Roshi and Taikan ShoE Roshi. Their support elevated the creative process and ensured a harmonious fusion of form and content.
The slipcase contains four hardcover books, a Japanese-bound booklet, and a card. The linen material of the book covers was dyed by hand.
The illustrations of the second volume are created generously by Beth Soko O'Halloran.
The Japanese-style booklet is a glossary that compiles the terms of each book.
While the slipcases, cards, and book bodies were made by a printing company, the covers and Japanese binding were handcrafted in a small private bookbindery workshop located in the Hungarian countryside.
Video about the creation process and the gift handover
Special thanks to Paul Mayer for the text editing and to
József Pintér for his invaluable mentorship in book design.